Chrissy.W.x wrote:Love your update as I already told you (and I didn't need you to remind me of leo...*lol*)... Now let's see what I can squeeze out of my brain... I hope it'll be something good that makes us move forward to the end...
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ok... I really had to squeeze it out of my brain... Hope you like it. And I really hope I didn't mess it up... And I will PM you in a couple of moments with some other stuff you should read before updating...
Well, like I said, I love your update!!! You squeezed some good stuff out of your brain...
And no, you didn't mess it up. It's great! And now for my update... In which I had to squeeze a spell out of my brain... 
Man, those are hard to write! lol Hope you like it!Chrissy.W.x wrote:"I... How..." Elenia was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say, not even what to think. This was all so wrong. It couldn't be true... it just couldn't.
Tevaal on the other hand felt hurt deep inside his heart. It hurt him that his mom seemed to hate his demon side so much, since that meant he hated half of his very being, half of what he was. It hurt him and it made him angry. And as his memories kept coming back to him now, his anger only grew.
Nicki had watched the change of Tevaal back to Steve as well as the others. And she could see the distress in his eyes. Actually she had seen it even before. So she stepped to his side again and took his hand, to show him she was by his side no matter what. She hoped she could give him some strength, because she knew he needed it.
Christopher and Bianca watched the exchange of looks between mother and son warily, both sure that any second a storm could break lose.
Koran-Dil then softly spoke to the young half-demon: "What you will do is completely your decision, because it's your life and yours only."
"Don't call him that!" Elenia exclaimed. "His name is Steve you freaky demon."
Now Tevaal's eyes turned an angry red as he glanced at his mother with pure anger. "My name IS Tevaal and I recommend you not insult the members of my family again."
"How can you say that?" Elenia frowned in confusion. "They aren't your family... you are human you belong to us...to me."
At this Tevaal changed back into his demon form before the eyes of his now pale mother: "I'm one of them. They care for me! They accept me the way I am without any disgust because I'm only half Ashon. They are my family, because they care for what I want. They searched for me since the day you escaped my father, but you kept hiding me from them. They only wanted to help me to understand who I really am. But you? You only waned to have your perfect little son and when I needed you most you were gone! You know what? I'd rather live down here as up there right now, because I feel no need to go back to you after you just came here and killed those I care about. I once loved you, mom, but right now I can't feel like that."
Those words hit their target, everyone could see that, since Elenia's face became even paler as it had been before. She knew she had made mistakes when returning to the Elders, but that was no reason to talk like that. But Tevaal really didn't care at this moment. He was just hurt and confused as he still remembered only bits of what once was.
"Enough!" Christopher finally exclaimed, before any more words could be said and any more feelings could get hurt. Then he turned to Odin: "If I let you take her up there, can you assure that she will stay there for as long as long as it is necessary?"
Odin nodded at this: "She will be restricted to her rooms and guarded, I'll make sure of that."
Christopher nodded: "Then do it. Maybe when some time has passed both sides will be able to try to talk to each other again... without fighting each other."
Odin was about to take the Elder's arm, but Bianca stopped him, still holding Elenia tightly in her grip. "I won't let her go, not until I know she's no danger anymore," she said with a cold voice that almost made Christopher shiver because he felt like a kid again who had done something wrong.
"Then I suggest you go with us," Odin replied and as the Phoenix nodded he took them both with him, disappearing within blue orb lights.
Koran-Dil had meanwhile stepped to Tevaal's side and had placed a hand on his shoulder. Then his eyes went over to Nicki, who still firmly hold the demon's hand. He smiled, then he said: "I'm glad you found someone who loves you this unconditionally."
Tevaal turned to Nicki and smiled: "Me, too." But then he turned serious again, looking around the cave. He saw a few piles of ashes and some demons lying on the ground, wounded. He shook his head as a few tears fell from his eyes: "I'm sorry... All those hurt, just because of me..."
"It wasn't your fault," Meehan now said stepping to his side as well.
Also Batim stepped closer. Standing behind Nicki he said: "You are not responsible for the actions of your mother."
"I know, but... They..."
"We'll make sure that those who are wounded will survive," Christopher said, then he turned to the Source, "am I right?"
Belthazor nodded at this. "I'll go and send my best healer," he said before flaming away. Also Julian and Cole went now to those Ashons, trying to help as best as they could.
"But what about you?" Nicki finally asked, looking at Tevaal expectantly.
The young Ashon sighed, knowing exactly what she meant, what everyone wanted to know from him now. "I... " He shook his head. Then he turned first to Koran-Dil, then to his brother and then back to the Ashon leader: "I love you all, you are my family. But I also love Nicki and I remember I had a nice job up there, too. So I will go back to live up there, through I will always be Ashon, and I will always come by as often as I can... And I hope you are all fine with it when I call myself Steve Tevaal Moody from now on."
Everyone smiled as the young man said those words. Christopher and Nicki did so because they were relived that things were solved, and the Ashons because they felt that Steve would be happy with this decision, which was all that mattered to them.
But then a young Ashon came close to them and stepped in front of the reunited couple. "What about the last potion?" she asked.
Steve smiled back at her, as he caressed her cheek: "Don't worry Shikara, I still will take the last potion tonight, because I know I need to." All the Ashon nodded agreeing, and also Christopher did, because he knew Steve needed that potion as well.
"Can I stay, too?" Nicki then asked surprising everyone. And when she saw the questioning looks she explained: "I never want to leave you alone again."
Steve turned to Koran-Dil. The leader of the Ashon smiled and nodded: "You are welcome, as one of your family."
At this Steve hugged Nicki tightly and kissed her full of love, making Batim whistle while Meehan let lose an "Awwww..."
Koran-Dil meanwhile stepped to Christopher's side: "My king, it would be an honor if you'd stay as well. You did good today, you saved a lot of lives."
Chris sighed looking at the piles of ashes again: "I wish I could have saved more."
The Ashon leader smiled at this: "You did more than anyone here had ever dreamt to see happen in their lives. You really are the new king."
Christopher nodded at this and as those words sunk in, he suddenly remembered. he remembered that spell he had written to find an answer to his question, the spell that had brought him here. And now that he did remember, he also knew how to get back. So he turned to Koran-Dil again and smiled: "Thanks. And I'd love to stay, I feel honored by your invitation. But I have to go back since I have important business to attend."
Koran-Dil bowed before him and this, and Christopher did the same showing his respect to the Ashon leader. Then he said goodbye to the rest of them and took Cole to orb back to the manor.
But before Christopher headed home he made a quick stop at another place. "Hey," he greeted when he and Cokle appeared in Julian's and Belthazor's cave.
"Are you alright, brother?" Cole asked worried, looking at the red demon.
Belthazor smiled: "I'm fine, and so is Julian." He secretly had checked on him before he left.
Only seconds later also the demonic witch shimmered into the cave as well, since the healer had arrived at the Ashon's cave and he wasn't needed there any longer. He was surprised to find the other's there as well.
"Well," Christopher said, "I just wanted to say goodbye since I'll be going back to the future soon."
Belthazor nodded at him. "I hate to admit it, but... you really deserve this little sword you have there. You did well today."
"Thanks," Christophr said, then went over and hugged the red demon.
The source felt a little uncomfortable, especially with the amused look on Cole's and Julian's face. But the young witch-Elder's action also warmed his heart.
"Take care of you," he finally said as Christopher stepped back to hug Julian as well.
"I will," he said then, before he took Cole's hand to finally return home.
Julian sighed as both had left and turned to the red demon with a raised eyebrow. "Don't you think you should have told them about the book?"
Belthazor smirked: "No... It's not the time for that, yet..."
Meanwhile in the future:
It was a sad atmosphere, even through the happy news about the new addition to the Halliwell clan had spread around quickly after Michael and Chris had talked. They all knew the young version of Chris had to leave soon.
"When exactly will you leave?" Matthew asked him, when he and his older version went into the living room where the rest of the family and Michael and Angela were waiting.
And to every one's surprise Chris had answered after a look at the clock: "It's 5 minutes to 9 pm so... If Hope did as I asked her to, we have 15 minutes left..."
"That's not enough..." Piper said, her voice sad and her yes wet from unshed tears.
"I don't want you to go..." Kevin whined.
Chris picked him up and hugged him close. "I know, buddy," he said. But I have to go, or else your brothers and sisters won't exist anymore..." He wasn't sure if the young boy would understand what he tried to say but he had to at least try.
"I love you," Kevin sobbed.
Chris smiled sadly as he hugged him even closer: "I love you, too." Then he sat him down again, since there were more goodbyes to say.
But suddenly he noticed the air shift in the hallway right outside the living room. And the next second he saw four figures appearing. One of them looked a lot like Nicki, just much older. Then there was a demon, who seemed to be Ashon and to kids, a girl and a boy.
"Andy!" Matthew exclaimed while he ran over to hug the boy. Then he dragged him over saying: "You have to meet the younger version o my dad before he leaves again..."
'So this is his best friend?' Chris wondered. But before he could ask something the demon transformed into...
"Steve?" past Chris asked puzzled.
The man turned to him and smiled embarrassed: "Oh, it seems we're a little to early..."
"A little," the older Chris said at this and smiled.
And his younger version suddenly had to agree with Piper. 15 minutes were not enough for explaining that!
But his older version just patted his shoulder. "Say your goodbyes... the rest Steve will explain to you when you get back..."
Chris nodded, knowing his older version was right. He had not much time left... only 12 minutes now. And he really wanted to give everyone a proper goodbye, especially his kids, Bianca and his mom and dad...
- In the present...
- After putting the boys down to sleep, Piper found herself hovering over them, watching them closely. Especially over little Christopher. She knew his older self was an adult, and quite capable of taking care of himself, but he had entered a den of demons with only five others for backup. And she wasn't one of them. Leo had tried to calm her down, to get her to come downstairs with everyone else, and let the children sleep in peace. She'd already woken up Hope, whom Angela had put to bed, once. Phoebe had warned her if she kept this up, she'd make Christopher neurotic, to which Paige replied, he already was. Both sisters found it hard to keep from laughing then, despite Piper glaring at them. But she still refused to leave her son's side, at least until his older self returned.
- Downstairs, everyone else tried to distract themselves with whatever they could. Tom, Veronica, Michael, and Kyle were sitting in the living room, flipping through the channels, hoping to find something good on TV. Meanwhile, Victor and Leo were in the kitchen preparing a late evening meal, and Phoebe, Paige and Angela were talking in the sunroom.
- The TV show they were watching was coming to an end when Tom noticed the time. It was five minutes to nine. He looked around the living room, Veronica was leaning against him, fidgeting with a cushion. Michael had started flipping channels again, and Kyle kept shifting in his seat. He could just see inside the sunroom, and the three women in there were talking about Michael and Angela's trip, getting it in full detail. In the kitchen, he could occasionally see Victor or Leo moving around, and they'd already started to bring some food into the dining room. They'd all wanted to wait until everyone got back before they ate, and Tom hoped it would be soon, since he was starving. He couldn't actually remember the last time he'd eaten. No, that wasn't true, he just vaguely remembered getting something to eat at Magic School before coming here, but that hadn't been much.
- Eight-fifty-six. Tom shook his head, wondering what was taking so long. And as he did, he caught sight of white lights in his peripheral vision off to his right. He turned quickly, startling Veronica, as the orbs formed into Christopher and Cole. "They're back!" he yelled, startling Veronica even more, and making everyone run into the living room. Leo did Piper a big service by orbing her straight there, so she didn't have to run all the way from the nursery. Though she had already started when Tom had yelled, and she'd been surprised when she orbed, the second she materialized and saw Christopher, she had him in her arms in a big hug. Relief flooded through her to see him safe.
- Tom looked around then, noticing that a few people were missing. "Where are Steve, Nicki, Bianca and Odin?" he asked, looking now at Christopher, worried.
- Christopher found himself laughing in spite of himself, when Piper wouldn't let him go. "Mom, it's okay. I'm fine. Really! Please let me go," he said, giggling. Piper slowly pulled back, feeling a little foolish that's she'd been so worried, her face turning red.
- Not to let them wait any longer, Cole answered Tom's question. "Odin and Bianca are escorting Elenia Up There..."
- "Elenia showed up?" Phoebe said, cutting him off, a worried look on her face, fearing her vision had come true. The others mirrored her expression.
- "Yes, she did. But we were able to stop her before it was too late. Odin and Bianca were just taking her Up There to let her cool off. Bianca wanted to make sure Elenia wasn't going to hurt anyone else before she came back here," Christopher explained. Sighs of relief swept through the room, but Tom was still anxious about Steve and Nicki.
- "But where are Steve and Nicki?" he asked, holding Veronica close. Before Christopher could answer, the grandfather clock struck nine. Cole turned to look at it, holding up his hand to keep everyone quiet, and an instant later, on the third chime, purple-white lights shone of it. It took Cole an instant to realize the lights were orbs. Everyone turned to watch as the orbs turned into Adult Hope.
- "Hope? What are you doing here?" Christopher asked his niece, confused.
- "I'm here, Uncle Christopher, because Dad asked me to delay you ten minutes," she said, emphasizing "uncle" in a teasing manner.
- "Is everything alright?" Piper asked, getting worried about Chris this time.
- "Everything is fine, Grandma," Hope said before giving her grandmother a hug. "Dad just wanted a chance to say goodbye to everyone." Piper let out a sigh of relief, and Tom cleared his throat, a little shyly, since he didn't want to interrupt, but he was still worried about Steve and Nicki. Christopher laughed, a sheepish smile on his face.
- "Sorry Tom. Steve and Nicki are fine. They'll both be back in the morning. Steve just wanted to take the last potion," Christopher explained. Smiles quickly spread across Tom and Veronica's faces as relief and joy flooded them.
- "So they're coming back?" Tom said, having a hard time not to jump up and down with joy.
- "Yes, they are. You'll see them in the morning," Cole answered, an arm around Phoebe's shoulders. The tension that was in the room, finally dissipated, leaving everyone feeling much better.
- "I guess, given you only have about seven minutes left before you have to go back, you can't stay for dinner?" Leo asked Christopher and Hope. A mischievous grin touched the latter's lips.
- "Oh, I can stay. It's Christopher who has to go," she said, suppressing a grin.
- "I have a better idea. Why don't you go back, and tell Chris he has an extra half hour, while I have something to eat?" he tried, a mischievous grin of his own touching his lips.
- "No can do. You have to go back. You've been here long enough," she said to her uncle, then turning to her grandfather said, "and, unfortunately, I can't stay either. There's been enough crossing of the times in the last week. And though I'd love to have dinner with you all, we actually just finished eating ourselves." She turned back to Christopher and added, "which means there are plenty of leftovers for you when you get back."
- "Well? What did you have for dinner?" he asked her, feeling rather hungry all of a sudden.
- "You'll find out when you get back. And you have four minutes," she said, looking at the clock.
- "I guess this is goodbye, then," Piper said, holding back tears. Christopher gave her another hug, holding on a little longer than necessary.
- "Well, not really. I mean, I'm still... Where am I?" he asked, looking around for his younger self.
- "Safe and sound and sleeping peacefully in bed," Piper said, smiling up at him.
- "Oh. Can I go check on him before I go? I miss seeing Christopher so small and helpless," Hope said, teasingly. Everyone in the room laughed. Piper smiled at her granddaughter and nodded.
- "Of course. Just please don't wake him. Or Wyatt. Or yourself," she said, wincing.
- "Yeah, Piper already woke you up once tonight," Phoebe said, ratting her out. Piper gave her an "I'll-get-you-for-that" look, and everyone cracked up again.
- "Well, I think you better do it quick, Christopher only has two minutes left," Cole pointed out.
- "And speaking of, I still have one question," Piper started, looking at her son. "Did you figure out what it was you came here to do?" Christopher took a deep breath before answering.
- "Yes, I did. I finally understand what my destiny holds. And I also think I know how to get back now," he said, looking around.
- "Good, ‘cause writing time-travel spells isn't my forte," Paige joked, giving him a wink and a smile.
- "Well, I guess it's up to the attic then," Christopher said, looking around at everyone.
- "With a quick stop in the nursery," Hope said, looping her arm in Christopher's. With everyone following behind, they made the short journey upstairs. Stopping only a moment in the nursery, they made it up to the attic just in time.
- "Well, this is it," Christopher said. "I'll miss all of you."
- "We'll miss you too, Sweetie," Piper said, giving him a quick hug. He handed the sword over to her, than turned to Paige.
- "Take care of yourself Christopher," she said, and before she could get away, he gave her a hug.
- "I will, Aunt Paige," he said, then straightened up and took a deep breath. But before he could begin the spell, Phoebe threw her arms around him, and hugged him, too.
- "You didn't think I'd let you leave without getting a hug, did you?" she teased, then let him go.
- "Thank you, everyone," he said, then turned to Hope. "You ready?"
- "I'll be right behind you," she said, encouraging him to get going.
- "Okay, here goes.
- "Return me now, to whence I came,
- "The past and future, still the same.
- "My quest for truth had been fulfilled,
- "Send me home with my new skills."
- Lights started circling him as he said the last word. Faster and faster they went until he was completely shrouded by them, then he, and the lights disappeared. A second later the lights returned. These ones turned slower and slower until they disappeared, finally revealing Chris, standing in the spot Christopher had just left.
Well, I don' know about you, but I can see the end in sight...
